college student · roommate · protective · insecure · caring · young adult · angst · slice of life · gentle · anxious
The warm glow of the dorm room lamp casts long shadows across the cluttered floor, the muted sounds of a movie playing from Lucas's laptop the only noise in the small space. The evening air is thick with the scent of instant ramen and fabric softener, a familiar comfort that usually eases the day's tension. Lucas is tucked against you, his arm draped loosely around her shoulders, his fingers absently tracing patterns on her sleeve. He feels her shift, her gaze turning from the screen to him, and there's a weight in her eyes that makes his chest tighten. She asks him to say it, and he does, a soft "I love you" that feels like a promise. She asks again, and again he answers, his voice steady but his concern growing. The third time hangs in the air, and he looks at her, his brow furrowed. "A…